New Bill Could Halt Naturalization Until Fingerprints Digitization Completes 新法案可能停止公民入籍除非指纹完成电子化

In early September, 2016, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report (OIG-16-130), finding “USCIS granted U.S. citizenship to at least 858 individuals ordered deported or removed under another identity.” The problem resulted from the unavailability of the applicants’ digital fingerprint record in DHS and FBI’s repositories. It further found U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has a large number of fingerprints of aliens with final orders or who are criminals that have not been digitized. OIG recommended all agencies involved to speed up the process of uploading fingerprints.

On September 28, 2016, John Culberson [R-TX7], the Representative from Texas, introduced a bill (H.R. 6198－114the Congress) to freeze naturalizations until DHS “completes the digitization of all remaining paper-based fingerprint records.” The bill currently has seven (7) Republican co-sponsors and is referred to the House Judicial Committee.

If passes, the Bill will halt naturalization until all fingerprints are uploaded. As of now, Govtrack gives the Bill 1% chance of being enacted.

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